AS Roma travel to Brussels on Wednesday evening to take on Union SG at Stade Roi Boudouin for a critical Europa League match. Neither of the two teams enjoyed their perfect start in the tournament; Roma’s off-field chaos also saw them carry it onto the pitch, while Union SG is yet to win a single game in Europe. Here’s a full match preview, with team news, lineups, and our prediction.
Match Preview
Roma finally won their first Europa League victory after a stormy season start, beating Dynamo Kyiv at home with a late winner from Artem Dovbyk. The win gave head coach Ivan Juric a lifeline after the mounting pressure. Yet, after just four victories from his first ten games, and three losses in Roma’s last four Serie A matches, rumors of replacements-cum-world-class shortcuts have already started, with club legend Daniele De Rossi and ex-boss Claudio Ranieri being spoken about.
The Giallorossi currently lie 12th in Serie A and have dropped to 19th in the Europa League table. A pulsating 3-2 defeat at Hellas Verona last time out in the league highlighted fragility in defence. However, Roma have an outstanding record against Belgian opposition, having not lost in their last 14 meetings, a run that stretches back to the middle of the 1970s.
Union Saint-Gilloise are struggling in their maiden Europa League campaign. They sit at 29th place with just one point from three games, despite showing attacking potential with 16 more shots than their opponents across those matches. Manager Sebastien Pocognoli, who won the Belgian Super Cup at the beginning of this season, will look to consolidate his side, currently lying 10th in the Belgian Pro League after two dismal league outings. Union SG did record a rare win against Eupen in the Belgian Cup last month, but it remains winless in Europe.
Overall Form Overview
Union SG Europa League Form: L-D-L
Union SG All Competitions Form: D-D-L-L-W-D
Roma Europa League Form: D-L-W
Roma All Competitions Form: D-L-W-L-W-L
Team News
Roma
With Roma’s season split between the Europa League and Serie A, head coach Ivan Juric is expected to rotate his squad. Top scorer Artem Dovbyk could be rested, with Eldor Shomurodov likely starting in attack. Stephan El Shaarawy might come in for Nicola Zalewski on the left flank, while Bryan Cristante and Niccolo Pisilli are likely midfield starters instead of Manu Kone and Enzo Le Fee. Mario Hermoso’s recent injury might allow Mats Hummels to make his first start. Alexis Saelemaekers remains out with an ankle injury.
Union SG
Union SG will be hoping the former Everton attacker Kevin Mirallas can provide the spark for an attacking improvement. Recently, Loic Lapoussin has been recalled to the starting XI following a spell with the B team because of disciplinary issues; he should start in tandem with Franjo Ivanovic and Kevin Rodriguez. Union will be without Alessio Castro-Montes and Sofiane Boufal due to injury, while Ross Sykes is back after working his way through a foot issue.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Union SG Possible XI
Moris; Sykes, Burgess, Mac Allister; Niang, Amani, Sadiki, Vanhoutte, Lapoussin; Rodriguez, Ivanovic
Roma Possible XI
Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Angelino; Abdulhamid, Paredes, Cristante, El Shaarawy; Pisilli, Baldanzi; Shomurodov
Prediction: Union SG 0-1 Roma
Considering Roma’s strong passing game-66% possession on average in the Europa League-this might be finally be the time that pays dividends against the goal-shy squad of Union SG. A single moment of magic could secure AS Roma’s first away win of the tournament phase, inching closer to Europa League playoff qualification.
